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From maritime accident to tourism icon
Before becoming a famous check-in spot, the cargo ship named Thanh Hung 06 was a regular maritime transport vessel, owned by a shipping company, specializing in transporting heavy goods along the central coast. In February 2023, the ship suffered a rudder failure, was swept ashore by waves, and ran aground in the Bai Thong area, about 30 km from Phan Rang 4 ward (formerly Phan Rang city). Initially, this was just a simple maritime accident. But after many years without being salvaged, the ship remains lying dormant in the desolate sea, gradually becoming part of the local landscape.
After the maritime accident, the ship lay abandoned in the middle of the sea, becoming a popular check-in spot for tourists.
The ship, lying idle, is no longer as magnificent as it once was. Its hull is rusted, its compartments cracked and dilapidated, its paint peeling off in patches under the sun and wind of Central Vietnam, creating a unique, decaying beauty. This sight not only arouses curiosity but also inspires artistic creativity – an inspiration that has made this place a sought-after location for young photography enthusiasts.
From a maritime accident, the dilapidated ship has become the backdrop for artistic, "worn-out" photographs. Images of the ship tilting under a gray sky, against a backdrop of white sand or the setting sun behind it have spread across social media platforms as a melancholic symbol of the Khánh Hòa coast. From an unexpected incident, the nameless ship has gradually become an indispensable highlight in tourists' exploration journeys.
These images are etched into memory.
For over two years stranded, the ship became the backdrop for countless artistic photographs, a place where the pristine wilderness met emotions. Visiting Khanh Hoa in May 2025 on a two-day, one-night trip, Nguyen Hoang Hieu exclaimed, "The scenery is truly breathtaking, the sea is blue, the sand is white, and the rusty ship lies alone like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie!"
The dirt road leading to Bai Thong is quite deserted, with many bumpy sections. But it is precisely this desolation that makes the experience even more special. Amidst the space where only the sea breeze and a few birds chirp, the solitary ship appears like a forgotten character in an old story. Many have called this place an "outdoor exhibition," where nature and time have together arranged a masterpiece. Front-facing shots give the feeling of Europe, while angled shots resemble a melancholic old film reel.
Nguyen Hoang Hieu took the opportunity to capture images of the stranded ship upon hearing the news about its dismantling.
For Nguyen Hong Nhat, who visited the ship during his cross-Vietnam trip with his family in early 2025, the ship is "a dilapidated masterpiece." He uses witty language to describe it in his own unique way: "like a frozen film," "poetic and melancholic." The writing is humorous but with a touch of regret at the end: "Everyone should hurry to visit Hung soon, otherwise Hung will be finished!"
The ship is more than just a photo opportunity. It's a symbol of a moment, a place of fleeting beauty, where beauty doesn't stem from immaculateness but from the marks of time, from its solitary form amidst the sea and sky. Those who have visited feel as if they are leaving their footprints in a world both real and dreamlike, where time stands still on the rusted paint and a tranquil atmosphere surrounds them.
Nguyen Hong Nhat and his wife also managed to check in with the stranded ship during their cross-Vietnam trip.
When the symbol fades into the past.
In May 2025, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province approved the plan to dismantle and salvage the stranded ship to ensure maritime safety and protect the marine environment. On July 7, 2025, the dismantling process officially began. Prior to that, from mid-June, functional units had carried out the pumping out of fuel and technical safety checks to prepare for the salvage operation. Parts of the ship's hull were removed using cranes and mechanical equipment, each rusty piece of metal gradually being removed from the sea, a place that once held so many images and emotions.
It is expected that within 45 days, by the end of July, the entire area will be cleaned up. Bai Thong beach will be restored to its pristine state, and the local authorities will also implement activities to promote the protection of marine resources and raise awareness among tourists. In the future, Bai Thong may be planned as an ecotourism area or integrated into clean energy projects.
The ship is expected to be dismantled within 45 days, restoring the original pristine condition of the Bai Thong area.
Although completely erased for maritime safety reasons, the image of the rusty ship that once lay silently amidst the sea and sky of Khanh Hoa will remain etched in the memories of those who have visited. A fleeting symbol during a brief period of tourism in Khanh Hoa, it departed as quietly as it arrived.
